Apparatus and process for sterilizing and destroying epithelial tissues



' Aug. 8, 1944. c. E. MOO-RE:

S AND P APPARATU ROCESS FOR STERILIZING AND DES YING- EPIT IAL TISSUE d N O ile ov. 194

INVENIOR.

ATTORNEYS.

Patented Aug. 8, 1944 APPARATUS AND'PROCESS FOR STERILIZ- ING AND DESTROYING EPITHELIAL TISSUES Clifton E. Moore, Grand Rapids, Mich.

Application November 9, 1940, Serial No. 365,062

. In Canada October 23, 1939 Claims.

. This invention relates to improvements in apparatus and process for sterilizing and destroying epithelial tissue.

This is a continuation in part of my application Serial No. 238,511, filed November 3, 1938.

The main objects of my invention are: First, to provide a method and apparatus for the sterilization and destruction of diseased tissues of a pyorrhea pocket or the like adjoining a tooth, and for destroying and removing the epithelial tissue which lines a portion of the interior wall of such a pocket, whereby to enable sealing of the pocket and re-adherence of the gum to the tooth.

Second, to provide a method and apparatus of the type described for coagulating and destroying an infected area at the bottom of a pyorrhea or like pocket attended by a simultaneous destruction of the epithelial lining of the inner pocket wall, and for simultaneously producing a 'stimulative hyperemia, which greatly expedites a final cure.

Third, to provide a method and apparatus of the type described wherein an electrically conductive jelly is injected into the pocket to be treated and subjected to a direct current of moderate intensity and voltage to destroy the aforesaid diseased tissue and the epithelial cells.

Fourth, to provide a method and apparatus for destroying diseased tissues and. the epithelial lining of a pyorrhea or like pocket in which the aforesaid destructive actions proceed from the bottom of the pocket outwardly so as to ultimately close and eliminatethe pocket following com pletion of the treatment.

Fifth, to rovide a method and apparatus of the type described adapted to effectthe aforesaid treatment of an infected pocket without undue pain or discomfort to the patient.

Sixth, to provide such an apparatus and methed in which sterilization is effected by ionization.

Further objects relating to details and economies of my invention will appear from the description to follow. The invention is defined-in the claims.

A preferred embodiment of my invention is illustrated in. the accompanying drawing, where m:

- Figs. 1, 2 and 3 are fragmentary views in transverse section showing a portion of a human jaw adjacent a pyorrhea-infected molar tooth thereof, the figures illustrating steps in the treatment in accordance with my invention, and the manner in which the apparatus of the invention isemployedyinsuchtreatment.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary view in transverse section illustrating an infected incisor or cuspid and indicating that the method and apparatus of myinvention are well suited for the destruction of pyorrhea-infected pockets or areas and the epithelial thereof.

. Fig. 5 is a fragmentary enlarged view partially in section illustrating a step in the method of employing the apparatus of my invention in the destruction of infected tissues and areas internally of the pocket.

Fig. 6 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the apparatus of my invention and further indicating the manner of employing the same in the performance of my process.

:The presentinvention relates in its general application to the treatment of pyorrhea or other orodental diseases such as trench mouth or the like. In particular it relates to the sterilzation, destruction or coagulation of infected'tissue in the pockets caused by the ravaging eifect of the disease upon the affected gum, which pockets lie adjacent the tooth and extend into the gum and in some instances into the jaw bone adjacent the tooth and gum. 1

Generally stated, the method involves the injection into the diseased pocket of a metal-impregnated electrically conductive jelly, preferably impregnated with copper sulfate, the insertion of a wire bent to'fit i'nto intimate contact with the infected area at the bottom-of the pocket, and the application of a positive potential to the wire, to coagulate and destroy the infected area or mass at the bottom of the pocket and at the same time destroy epithelial mucous-like tissue lining the inside of the pocket so as to enable a union of the pocket wall with the tooth following destruction of the infected tissue as a natural consequence ofthe destruction. is accompanied by a stimulating hyperemiawhich greatly expeditesfinal healing and a sterilizing ionization. This causes no destruction or undue irritation of the external side of the soft fiap of a tooth even at the thin gingival margin thereof. The ionization is caused by applying a mild direct current to the jelly in the pocket, tending to drive the metal ions of the preferably metal-impregnatedjelly into the infected area. For these purposes, I employ a novel and simple apparatus including an electrical anode in the form of a pliablewire which is adapted to be and is in usereadily bent to conform in outline to the pocket'and inserted therein to lie in intimate relation to the actively diseased tissue, and a further electrode adapted to be grasped companying scaling up of the pocket and adherence to the'tooth by reasonof thedestruction of the above described epithelial tissue lining the pocket and normally preventing adherence of the pocket Wall to the tooth. Complete elimination of the pocket naturally follows the destruction of the ravaging infected tissues which the method 3 and apparatus constituting the subject matter of this invention are designed to accomplish.

Referring to the drawing, the reference numeral I in Figs. 1 and 2, 3 and 5 designates a posterior tooth or molar embedded in the jaw bone 2 and surrounded by the gum 3. In Fig. 3,- the corresponding upper molar is designated by the reference numeral 4, being embedded in. the upper jaw bone 5. and surrounded by tissue 6 constituting the upper gum. i

I have illustrated and indicated by the reference numeral 1' a pyorrhea pocket adjacent one side of the molar I, although it is evident that this might occur on any tooth or in any position relative thereto; for example, in. Fig. 4 I have indicated by'the reference numeral 8 an incisor having the pocket I located adjacent the front thereof. These pockets are caused by the progressively ravaging action of an infected area or mass of infected tissue 9 at the bottom of the pocket and are characterized by the formation of a lining IU of epithelial cells which prevents the Wall of thepocket from reuniting with the tooth. As illustrated in Figs. 1 to .5, thepocket 1 extends deep into the gum and even in some instances into the jaw bone.

As stated above, it is the primary object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatusfor destroying the mass of infected tissue and the epithelial lining I and thereby enable'a normal closure of the gum around the tooth. As an incident to the treatment proposed by my invention, a hyperemia occurs in the gum adjacent the treated areas greatly expediting the resultant final cure.

In practicing the method of my invention, I

first inject into the infected pocket a suitable electrically conductive demulcent jelly H preferably composed of tragacanth mixed with water to the desired consistency and preferably impregnated with a metal salt up to though 2% of the total mixture generally suflices. Very good results have been, had using copper sulphate or copper sulphite as the metal salt, although other conductive jellies could be used, particularly when a copper Wire is used to provide the necessary metal ions for the ionization which occurs in the preferred form of myinvention.

I next insert into the jellyv in the pocket 'an an-2 ode I 2 for the purpose of coagulating the diseased tissue and destroying the epithelial cells and of ionizing the jelly which operates to drive the metal ions therein into the infected area. This anode and the structure associated, therewith for securing the foregoing results are illustrated in Figs. 3, 5 and 6 andwill now be described in some detail. i

Referring to Fig. 5, the anode or positive electrode i2 is constituted by one end of a pliable copper or silver Wire I3 in electrical connection to a battery It. Likewise connected to;sai d bat tery is aconductor l5 wired to a negative elec-.

Ill)

trode l6 adapted to be held by the patient while the performance of my method proceeds. This electrode may be provided with a suitable hook I! or other device for suspending the same from a support or the like when not in use.

In following the method, the electrode I2 is first bent to a shape conforming as closely as possible to that of the pocket 1, to the end that all parts of the infected area or mass 9 at the bottom of the pocket will be uniformly and thoroughly engaged thereby. Then, utilizing pincers as illustrated in Fig. 5 or otherwise, the conformed or looped electrode is inserted along the side of the tooth into the pocket and the jelly therein. In order to enable the electrode in its final position to bem'aintained therein without displacement, I provide. an insulating sleeve or rubber tubing I8 on the electrode wire 13, which sleeve may he slid up to the gum adjacent the pocket to prevent short circuiting of the current by the patients teeth or any other part of the mouth. The patient then bites down on the insulated electrode wire, as illustrated in Fig. 3, to maintain the electrode in its proper place. With the patient grasping electrode is as illustrated in Fig. 6, and with the snide in place as described, a direct current of mild voltage, for example 12 volts, is fed through the circuit from the voltage source, this circuit being, of course, completed through the patients body. As I have described in my copending application referred to above, the end of the insulating casing 18 may be sealed by tying the same with a thread or the like or wax may be employed for this purpose. These details I have not deemed it necessary to illustrate and describe in the present application.

The production of a potential at electrode l2 coagulates the diseased tissue and destroys the epithelial cells and causes ionization of the jelly I lin the pocket, the metal ions of the jelly being driven into these tissues with a decided germicidal action. Application of the current is maintained for a limited time, preferably between five and ten minutes, at the expiration of which period electrode. I2 is removed and the jelly ll allowed to dissolve for its demulcent effect. Following the foregoing steps, all that is necessary is to maintain the pocket sterile by suitable treatment, described in my aforesaid copending application and not constituting the subject matter of the present application, until the tissue grows back and adheres to the tooth surface.

In the event a single treatment does not suffice to destroy the entire infected mass in the pocket, it at least destroys and coagulates the lowermost portion thereof, so that a repetition of the operations described above will result in the progressive elimination. of the source of the infection from the bottom upwardly until the entire source of the infection is eradicated. It should be noted in this connection that formation of the electrode I2 in conformity with the outline of the pocket, either prior to or subsequent to insertion therein by pressure of the electrode against the Walls of the pocket insures proper progressive treatment in the event of an aggravated case. The foregoing treatment, though very effective in eliminating the cause of the pyorrhea or like flap of the gum 3., even the thin sensitive gingival margin thereof.

Though I have indicated a preference fora. copper sulphate impregnated jelly demulcent asthe agent for injecting into the infected pocket and have mentioned the ionization of the jelly and attack of the affected areas by the metal ions of the metal impregnating salt, I desire to point out that destruction of the objectionable tissues is possible even omitting the use of such a salt, so long as the jelly is a good conductor and the electrical action is made available directly and in sufficient intensity on the said tissues.

Desirable results can be obtained using high frequency current, but I prefer the use of the direct current.

I have illustrated and described my improvements in an embodiment which is very practical. I have not attempted to illustrate or describe other embodiments as it is believed this disclosure will enable those skilled in the art to embody or adapt my improvements as may be desired.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. The method of destroying infected tissues in pyorrhea and like pockets, and of eliminating the epithelial lining of the walls thereof, comprising injecting a metallic salt-bearing, demulcent, jelly-like conducting agent into the pocket, conforming an electrical anode Wire to the outline of the pocket and inserting the same into the pocket adjacent the infected tissu in the latter, applying a second electrode to another part of the patients body, and causing a direct current to flow through said electrodes and the patients body whereby to destructively attack the infected tissues in the pocket and the epithelial lining thereof.

2. The method of destroying infected tissues in pyorrhea and like pockets, and of eliminating the epithelial lining of the walls thereof, comprising injecting a metallic salt-bearing, demulcent, jelly-like conducting agent into the pocket, inserting an electrical anode wire into the pocket adjacent the infected tissue in the latter, applying a second electrode to another part of the patients body, and causing a direct current to flow through said electrodes and the patients body whereby to destructively attack the infected tissues in the pocket and the epithelial lining thereof.

3. The method of destroying infected tissues in pyorrhea and like pockets, and of eliminating the epithelial lining of the walls thereof, comprising injecting a jelly-like conducting agent into the pocket, conforming a readily pliable electrical anode wire to the outline of the pocket and inserting the same into the pocket adjacent the infected tissue in the latter, applying a second electrode to another part of the patients body, and causing a direct current to flow through said electrodes and the patients body whereby to destructively attack the infected tissues in the pocket and the epithelial lining thereof, said readily pliable wire when pressed against the walls of the pocket adapted to bend to conform more completely to the outlines of the pocket.

4. The method of destroying infected tissues in pyorrhea and like pockets, and of eliminating the epithelial lining of the walls thereof, comprising injecting a jelly-like conducting agent into the pocket, inserting a readily pliable electrical anode wire into the pocket adjacent the infected tissue in the latter, applying a second electrode to another part of the patients body, and causing a direct current to flow through said electrodes and the patients body whereby to destructively attack the infected tissues in the pocket and the epithelial lining thereof, said readily pliable wire adapted to bend within the pocket to conform to the outlines of the same.

5. The method of destroying diseased tissue and epithelial wall lining in a pyorrhea or like infected pocket, comprising injecting a conducting jelly in the pocket, inserting into said pocket an electrode conformed to correspond to the outline of the pocket, with said electrode in close adjacency to the diseased tissue, contacting a further electrode with another portion of the patients body, and causing an electrical current to flow through said electrodes and the patients body whereby to destroy said infected tissue and epithelial lining.

CLIFTON E. MOORE. 

